A door was closed forever earlier this year with the death of founding Ultravox member Chris Cross. An era has ended. His family are putting over 300 pieces from his collection of instruments and music-related personal effects up for auction on Tuesday, the 3rd of December. Guitar Auctions at Gardiner Houlgate will be hosting the auction and Chris’ family are setting aside some of the proceeds to benefit three UK music charities: Music For Youth, Music For All, and Youth Music. So the cycle will keep on spinning with more music happening in Chris’ absence.
I’ve looked at the preview and it’s packed with bass guitars, yes, but there are also plenty of other instruments of many stripes vying for our notice. And there is Ultravox memorabilia of many kinds to catch a fan’s eye. Things like industry awards from ticket agencies as well as precious metallic records for high sales levels met in various countries. Here’s a fan’s overview of what to expect come auction day.
THE BASSES
Gibson EB-5 1969 [Ultravox!]
This Gibson EB-3 bass from ’69 was the bass that Tiger Lily and Ultravox! fans heard most in those early days. The estimate is £1000-2000 for this instrument which is packed with history.
Squier Precision Bass 1982 [Live Aid]
The bass that Chris played in the second half of the Ultravox imperial period included their Live Aid appearance. This Japanese made bass is expected to sell for £3000-5000
Steinberger L2 Headless Bass 1982 [Lament]
We all remember the distinctive Steinberger headless bass prevalent in the early-mid 80s. Here is Chris using it on the “Lament” tour of 1984. Estimate of £1500-2500.
THE GUITARS
Yamaha SG-2000 1980 [Midge Ure’s guitar]
Here’s something different. Midge Ure gave his 1980 Yamaha SG2000 to Chris and this was a guitar baked into the “Vienna” era! It’s been in Chris’ collection for ages, but now it can be yours, estimate £1000-2000.
Custom Esquire-type guitar
Chris had a fair number of custom built guitars. These one-off’s are rare birds, but because they are not comparable to anything, they can be gas for much less than the instruments above. This has an estimate of £200-400.
THE SYNTHS
EMS Synthi AKS 70s [ULTRAVOX!]
The classic British “briefcase synth” made famous by ENO that everyone wants to touch! No actual keyboard, just a printed circuit touchplate to change the notes. This one is going to cost plenty: £10,000-20,000.
Oxford Synthesizer Company OSCar 80s [Love’s Great Adventure]
Another British synth, this was an early programmable model as played on the solo to “Love’s Great Adventure.” Look to pay £2000-4000 for the privilege.
Oxford Novation 61SL MK II MIDI Keyboard 2000s [Return To Eden]
Already have soft synths and just need a quality keyboard? This was what Chris used in the final period of playing with Ultravox onstage. USB MIDI interface. Yours for an estimated £200-200
Casio VLT-1 1980
Here’s an analog classic that’s still affordable 45 years later! The Casio VLT-1, as played on “Get Carter” from The Human League’s Dare.” Not sure where it may have manifested in the Ultravox canon, but it is Chris’s personal unit. Estimates £20-40.
SALES AWARDS
Vienna UK GOLD LP
All of these sales awards form various markets show that releases sold the best all over the world. Here’s the classic “Vienna” in UK gold disc form. A pittance at an estimated £100-200.
All Stood Still UK SILVER SINGLE
“All Stood Still!”The toughest Ultravox MK II hit single. An estimated £100-200.
Vienna Australian PLATINUM LP
OZ platinum for the beloved “Vienna” album. Still only an estimated £100-200.
Rage In Eden UK GOLD LP
Here’s what I wouldn’t mind having on my precious wall space. “Rage In Eden” in UK gold. Again, an estimated £100-200.
New Europeans Japan GOLD SINGLE
Real Ultrafox fans have the Japanese only “New Europeans” single, but how many have the gold disc for it? It’s an estimated £100-200.
There’s more where that came from with maybe a third of the collection in preview. The site has a nice tribute to Chris Cross page up as well. It you want to maybe take home some Ultravox history, this is the place to start. There are some inexpensive synths I feel that maybe I should be taking a look at, so I can finally have some musical fun in my old age! The site has a video online and there’s a copy of the same 1977 era 3D sales display conspicuous in the video which I already auctioned off myself this year to help fund the big Eurotrip. Mine was in better condition [I got $250 for mine] but this one going under the hammer next month probably has Chris Cross’ DNA embedded on it. DJs hit that button!
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Post-Punk Monk 
Is there any way I can purchase anything leftover from this auction??
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Linda k. – Welcome to the comments! I have no idea what happens to unsold lots in such an auction. But contacting the auction house would be my first step. But by this time it’s likely that the unsold items have been returned to the artists’s family/executors.
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